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Shettima: Ex-Borno Gov Who Wept Over Boko Haram Invasion

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A former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima has been announced as running mate to the standard flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The PUNCH reports that Shettima was announced on Sunday, July 10, 2022 following the announcement of the withdrawal of the placeholder for the position of running mate of the APC’s candidate, Ibrahim Masari.

However, there are controversies over the choice of Shettima as running mate to Tinubu.

Shettima, who is a banker and Muslim from the terrorist-ravaged Borno, will join Tinubu who is a Muslim from the South West on the Presidency ticket of the ruling APC, thereby, making the APC’s ticket a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Muslim-Muslim ticket has been described by religious organisations such as the Christian Association to Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, among others, as a threat to national unity.

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In this piece, The PUNCH highlights memorable moments of the two-term governor whose tenure witnessed the heat of Boko Haram activities in Borno.

Insecurity in Borno

On January 2, 2019, the former Borno State governor during an extraordinary security meeting to discuss the worsening security situation in his state noted that he could not criticise the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the same way they criticised former president Goodluck Jonathan over the insecurity in the North East.

READ ALSO: 15 Things To Know About Tinubu’s Running Mate, Shettima

Shettima was an ardent critic of the administration of Goodluck Jonathan over what he tagged as the failure of the administration to secure the lives of Nigerians in the north.

Some persons have asked why I have not criticised the Buhari government or the Nigerian military over situations in Borno. My response to them is that unlike in previous years when I was treated as an enemy of the Presidency, I have from 2015 to date, gained unfettered access to the President.

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“I see the Commander-In-Chief at the shortest request and I tell him my concerns, he listens to me with keen interest and in most cases, he takes measures. I have not had reason to be frustrated with the Presidency, unlike previous years,” Kashima had said at the meeting.

Shettima’s tears at Aso Villa
On Monday, January 7, 2019, The PUNCH reported how Shettima broke down in tears before Buhari in Abuja at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, urging the President to do all he could to stop the insurgents, who now attack communities at will.

The governor had gone to the Villa in company with Borno elders to meet with Buhari in order to seek further ways of addressing the resurgence in attacks by Boko Haram.

Others at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.); who is also from Borno State; former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; acting Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; and the Director General of the Department for State Services, Yussuf Bitchi.

Three killed in Shettima’s convoy
On February 13, 2019, The PUNCH reported how three persons were killed in the convoy of Shettima, during an attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

Shettima, who was governor at the time, was travelling to Gamboru-Ngala on political campaign when his large convoy ran into an ambush between Dikwa and Gamboru.

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Sources who spoke to The PUNCH said there was an exchange of gunfire and three persons believed to be party supporters who had joined his convoy on the campaign were killed.

While commenting on the matter, Shettima had said, “The Boko Haram basked in the oxygen of publicity, by attacking my convoy, by targeting my person, they have gotten the much needed boost. But then as they say, if you cannot withstand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

READ ALSO: Why I Chose Shettima As Running Mate — Tinubu

On Monday, December 14, 2020, Shettima who featured on a programme on Arise Television, shortly after the abduction of hundreds of students from a government owned secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State, cautioned Nigerians against criticising the failure of the regime of Muhammadu Buhari to tackle insecurity.

We respect him. We cherish him. We love him. But don’t deify him because deification is [for] God. Buhari is not God. If there are things that need to be corrected, we are going to point it out to him equivocally and unambiguously, but without playing to the gallery,” he had said.

The senator said the service chiefs have done their best but “their best is no longer enough,” adding, “Justice, equity and fairness, even common sense demand that these service chiefs should go”.

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He said, “There’s been some improvement in the security landscape in the state (Borno) especially in the first two years of the Buhari administration”.

PUNCH

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Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

READ ALSO: NAF Destroys Several Illegal Refining Sites, Berges In Rivers

“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

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“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

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PHOTOS: Tinubu, Governors Pay Last Respects At burial Of 17 Slain Soldiers

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The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.

READ ALSO: Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

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Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) also attended the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

VANGUARD

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Abure Re-elected Labour Party National Chairman; NLC Kicks

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The embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Julius Abure has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the protests by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Other serving officers of the party were also returned.

READ ALSO: Why Bobrisky Was Awarded Best Dressed Female – Nigerian Actress

Recall that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organize a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.

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Meanwhile, a factional chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr Peter Okoye has boasted that the Nnewi national convention will not stand.

Describing the convention as a sham, Okoye said: “This is not a convention. We are on top of the matter. It’s purely illegal.

“There was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress, and now who and who are the elected the delegates that are electing the National Working Committee, NWC, members?

“The NLC was not there, TUC was not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too. So, who is holding the convention?”

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